A good firewall and a well-informed user.
I used to write code for Symantec Antivirus. I've not used antivirus software on my own computers for about 4 years. If you know what to watch out for, and keep your firewall pure, the impact of AV software on your CPU can be zero.

Plaese note I have updated as a link was dead and one of the free one had changed to paid.
SIMPLE STEPS TO
DOWNLOADING
VIRUS & SPYWARE PROTECTION
(& steps for protecting PC)
Also software for registry repair & finding driver’s
For XP
NEWEST AVG 8.5 BOTH ANTI-VIRUS & ANTI-SPYWARE
(for those running Vista you must have all updates done plus SP1 to use)
http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe
http://free.avg.com/
Answers to many questions about AVG, Firefox, Avg toolbar etc.
Click where it says FAQ section, then type in the search box “firefox” click the search button. Be sure on next page and check out 1918 and be sure and uncheck box for AVG toolbar when installing the software as it is not compatible with Firefox.
AVG anti ( 7.5.1.43) older version FOR SPYWARE, MALWARE, ROOTKITS
http://www.filehippo.com/download_avg_antispyware/
Click on the right hand side of page where it says download latest version 11.84MB
When next page opens watch for yellow bar at top which you may have to click to allow download to start, click and choose save to desktop. Then open from there.
AVG Vcleaner-cleans 704 viruses and variants
http://www.scanwith.com/download/AVG_Vcleaner.htm
Now for your next layer of protection download the following also but remember you can only run one program at a time, but each of these will fine things the other didn’t.
Spybot S&D found at www.safer-networking.org
DOWNLOAD
SPYBOT
SEARCH & DESTROY
ONCE YOU HAVE TYPED www.safer-networking.org IN THE YAHOO OR GOOGLE SEARCH BAR (you may see yahoo or google asking if you mean .com instead of .org it is suppose to be .org at the end of web site)
1. IT WILL SAY HOME OF:: The home of Spybot-S&D!
2. UNDER THIS YOU WILL SEE THE WORDS: Download. Home of SpyBot-S&D, and 6 different languages. Simply click on the language of your choice for example; ENGLISH
3. THIS IS THE HOME PAGE, LOOK DOWN AND FIND UNDER PRODUCTS, SEE 1.6.0 AND RIGHT UNDER PRODUCTS WORD YOU SEE PICTURE OF S&D CLICK IT, THIS IS ALL SAME LINE.
4. NEXT PAGE SAYS OVERVIEW, SCROLL DOWN AND SEE AREA, CLICK FIRST DOWNLOAD.
5. THESE ARE THE MIRROR SITES; THERE ARE 11 TO CHOOSE FROM,
Safer-Networking Ltd. #1 ON THESE CLICK DOWNLOAD AND BOX OPENS, CHOOSE WHERE YOU
Safer-Networking Ltd. #2 GOING TO SAVE FILE TO, DESKTOP, MY DOCUMENTS AND OPEN AND
Safer-Networking Ltd. #3 AND RUN FROM THERE FILE IS 14.3MB (only 2 steps here)
(These are always my first choice as they usually work well first time)
BN FileForum
(This is my second choice just a little harder to use, more steps)
PAGE WILL OPEN, (BLUE DOWNLOAD NOW 14,380 KB) CLICK blue /
NEW PAGE OPENS.
MAY HAVE TO CLICK YELLOW BAR AT TOP OF PAGE TO ALLOW FILE TO DOWNLOAD ON THIS ONE, AND THEN DOWNLOAD WILL BEGIN
6. BOX OPENS CHOOSE SAVE AND DO SO TO YOUR DESKTOP OR TO YOUR DOCUMENT FILE AND OPEN AND RUN FROM THERE
FILE IS 14.3MB
Superantispyware found at http://superantispyware.com
SUPERANTISPYWARE
DOWNLOAD
ONCE YOU HAVE TYPED http://superantispyware.com YOUR SEARCH BAR IN YAHOO
YOU WILL SEE:
SuperAntiSpyware.com- (AntiAdware, AntiSpyware, AntiMalware) CLICK
1. LOOK FOR BIG BLUE BOX ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE PAGE SAYS DOWNLOAD FREE VERSION HOME USERS - CLICK
2. NEXT PAGE SCROLL DOWN, AGAIN LOOK FOR THE BIG BLUE BOX SAYS DOWNLOAD FREE VERSION HOME USERS - CLICK
Next page opens and again click the blue box that says download FREE version home users.
3. NEXT PAGE DOWNLOAD SHOULD START AUTOMATICALLY
(6.16MB), Version: 4.15.1000
****NOTE
(If it doesn’t start at once look at the top of the page for a light yellow bar, it’s basically a security bar, click and choose allow, it usually has to do with Active X)
If still does not open look on the page under the words Download progress:
If the download does not begin shortly please (click here is in blue)
Click it
4. DO SO AND A BOX OPENS, SAVE TO DESKTOP OR MY DOCUMENTS, OPEN AND RUN FROM THERE
And finally go to this web site for this program to clean up your internet history, cookies, browser history, recycle bin, IE Explorer, etc all the boxes can be preset and basically in 4 steps you can clean computer. It does so well that disc clean usually only will find 32-100MB after it’s done
(Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, Dialers, Worms, KeyLoggers, Hijackers, Parasites, Rootkits and many other types of threats) this is what this program takes care of.
http://www.snapfiles.com go to the freeware section, look for Internet Cleanup, then look for the software called IE Privacy Keeper
IE PRIVACY KEEPER
DOWNLOAD
WHEN YOU TYPE www.snapfiles.com IN YOUR YAHOO OR GOOGLE SEARCH BOX THIS IS WHAT YOU WILL SEE WHEN IT OPENS
Snapfiles - software reviews, download freeware and trial programs - CLICK
1. WHEN THE PAGE OPENS LOOK FOR A TAB AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE THAT SAYS FREEWARE - CLICK
2. WHEN PAGE OPENS SCROLL DOWN AND FIND INTERNET CLEANUP TOOLS - CLICK
3. WHEN PAGE OPENS SCROLL DOWN TILL YOU SEE THE PROGRAM SHOULD BE LIKE ABOUT THE 14TH ONE DOWN - CLICK THE BLUE DOWNLOAD BUTTON FILE SIZE IS 1128kb
4. NEXT PAGE OPENS IF DOWNLOAD DOESN’T START LOOK FOR A LIGHT YELLOW BAR AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE, CLICK THE OPTION TO ALLOW TO OPEN, USUALLY HAS TO DO WITH ACTIVE X
***NOTE
If for some reason still doesn’t start click the blue words click here they are in the middle of the page in tan box.
5. WHEN THE BOX OPENS SAVE TO DESKTOP OR MY DOCUMENTS, OPEN AND RUN FROM THERE.
Last but not least do Defrag at least 2-4 times in a row even if program says not needed, as XP Defrag program isn’t the best and needs to be run more often.
Or download a extra program to do it for you like Vista does, go to:
http://www.snapfiles.com/freeware/
type in the search box – defrag and when the new page opens look for:
Smart Defrag
2.44MB click the download button and new page opens, you may have to click the security options bar to allow download (yellow bar at top of page, right click to allow file)
Save to desktop
GLARY UTILITIES
DOWNLOAD
HOW TO DOWNLOAD
GLARY UTILITIES
1. http://www.glarysoft.com/rr.html
2. ONCE HERE RUN MOUSE OVER THE PRODUCTS AND VIEW THE DROP DOWN LIST, CHOOSE:
GLARY UTILITIES, CLICK
3. BLUE BOX WILL SAY DOWNLOAD GLARY FREE UTILITIES NOW, CLICK
4. CLICK BLUE BOX THAT SAYS DOWNLOAD FREE GLARY UTILITIES NOW
2.8.366
File Size: 5.37 MB
Release Date: Oct. 31, 2008
Operating System: Designed for Windows 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP 32/64bit, 2003 and Vista 32/64bit
5. CLICK WHERE THE GREEN BOTTON IS (DOWNLOAD NOW) 5.37MB
6. WATCH FOR YELLOW SECURITY BAR AT TOP, CLICK HERE FOR OPTIONS, RIGHT CLICK-CHOOSE DOWNLOAD FILE. AND THEN WHEN DOWNLOAD BOX COMES UP SAVE TO DESKTOP
7. AFTER DONE WITH FILE MOVE TO DOCUMENTS IN CASE YOU NEED AGAIN.
Glary Utilities
Optimize, clean and boost the speed of your Windows.
Protect your privacy and security.
Block spyware, trojans, adware, etc.
Fix certain application errors.
Simple, fast and User friendly interface
For only private use
Glary Utilities offers numerous powerful and easy-to-use system tools and utilities to fix, speed up, maintain and protect your PC.
It allows you to clean common system junk files, as well as invalid registry entries and Internet traces. You can manage and delete browser add-ons, analyze disk space usage and find duplicate files. You can also view and manage installed shell extensions, encrypt your files from unauthorized access and use, split large files into smaller manageable files and then rejoin them. Furthermore, Glary Utilities includes the options to optimize memory, find, fix, or remove broken Windows shortcuts, manage the programs that start at Windows startup and uninstall software. Other features include secure file deletion, an Empty Folder finder and more.
All Glary Utilities tools can be accessed through an eye-pleasing and totally simplistic interface
Antivrius 2008-2009
Removing
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/malware-removal/uninstall-antivirus-2009
• Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
Is the name of the software, just visit web site and click on download, very easy to use, great malware program.(scroll down page till you see Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Download Link, click
And box will open for you to choose run or save, choose save to desktop 3.39MB)
NEED TO FIND YOUR DRIVERS? Or just update drivers?
http://www.devicedoctor.com/
Click on the green download arrow and follow the instruction. This program is very simple to use, once download just click scan and once drivers are found click download and save to desktop and run.
Backing up your drivers? Go here: http://sourceforge.net/projects/drvback/
Very simple yet great software that finders your drivers and backs them up for up to what ever place you choose, such as my documents, CD, DVD, jump drive. Click the green download box (arrow) next page where it says DriverBackup! 1.0.3(XPVista) for English. Next page again click DriverBackup 1.0.3 then Dr13engzip, you may have to give page permission to open (see yellow bar, right click here for options) choose download file, file is 51. 7 KB choose save and to where.
Need to know the speed of your broadband, not sure if its your PC or your connection try these sites to check your speeds:
http://www.speedtest.net/
http://reviews.cnet.com/internet-speed-test/
http://onlinespeedtest.net/
http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/
SPAM
Type in Spam in the search box in the upper right hand corner- new page opens with a list of 5 page, on page 3 you should find this program Spamihilator (2000/XP/2003/Vista 1.08MB) click download, new page opens, watch for yellow bar at top as you may have to click to allow to start download. Click saves to desktop or my documents. Then click run to open.
Or to http://www.snapfiles.com and to their freeware section to find other software also.
(Can only run one virus program at a time on a PC but you may have as many spyware programs as you wish as long as you run only one at a time, and only one firewall)
A GREAT FREE ONE IS ZONE ALARM FOUND AT www.snapfiles.com under the freeware section, personal firewalls.
Also found at snap files, are Defragmentation Tools - there are several programs to choose from
I recommend you check them out as the one that comes with XP does not always do the best job.
Another little great tool for you is go to Google or Yahoo: One of the best pieces of FREE software there is today that will show you what is on your computer is known as: Belarc once it is downloaded you simply run and time you wish to see what is installed on your PC, from OS to Model, hardware, software, hot fix’s and the Keys to software on PC. This makes it a valuable program in that you can run it every so often and print off and save for you keys if for no other reason.
***
Note:
It is wise to only run one virus program at a one time but run as many spyware as you like, only run them one at a time, other wise they will conflict with each other, it is good to have more than one as each will find some thing the other did not. Uninstall any other program as they may conflict such as Norton, McAfee etc.
(This web site can help you uninstall Nortons, McAFee when they refuse to go away:
http://www.pchell.com/virus/uninstallmcafee.shtml )
The only one on this list that runs in safemode F8 is AVG anti-spyware, which does work great in safemode.
Also wise thing to do is to run the virus & spyware program once without internet connection and then again with internet, as some times the virus will try to block program other wise when internet is running.
This list has been drawn up by me and designed by me and is not copied from anywhere as it has been suggested, please feel free to use as much as you like, and I hope it helps in some way.
G_tech
WARNING: Please try all these procedures at YOUR OWN RISK. I take no responsibility for your actions
This is all found though my experience and there are times you may need a professional to better assit you.

i do this for a living, and AVG is very well liked and very effective. however it draws a noticable amount of system resources and it's virus data tends to be out-of-date...compared to the method i like and put on every machine i sell. my computers all sell with a warrenty and people like to pinch pennys. so a machine i would sell for 50 bucks(pentium 3 w/ 256 MB RAM) would be able to run avg but be pretty slow. i recomend threatfire. just read the information on their home page and they explain how the use a "bahavior based detection" system instead of a scan(but scans can be done with it to) for a limited resouce machine it is the best bang for the buck even if it can be a little tricker to get used to then AVG. goodluck
www.threatfire.com

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